Many Catholics today ignore the sacrament of reconciliation. Some parishes don’t even push it hard as they don’t like to talk about how important it is.
That would require discussing the possibility of Hell and many parishes avoid that out of fear to upset the congregation. Those parishes are doing their flock a disservice.
You see there is a constant battle outside our immediate realm amongst Powers and Principalities (angelic vs. demonic) for our souls. God wants us to love and obey Him so we can come Home to Him in the inheritance of Eternal Life.
Satan knows where the game ends for him and wants to take as many souls with him to Hell as possible. Don’t believe me? Okay, but that doesn’t stop it from being true.
Satan doesn’t want us because he values us; he is incapable of that. He hates us and is jealous of our ability to inherit the Paradise Jesus won for us, which Lucifer turned his back on long ago. He wants us to be tortured with him and his minions (1/3 of the angels who followed his rebellion of God’s Plan) in the fires of Hell.
Satan tempts us to sin so he can have us in his clutches. One of his most important victories today is getting people to ignore him or believe he doesn’t exist.
The strongest of us are actually quite weak in the grand scheme of things. We cannot defeat the demonic on our own. We need Jesus and His mercy.
This is where confession comes in. The worst behaviors possible are not as powerful as His Mercy.
Whatever you can think of: murder, rape, abortion, whatever; they are all forgiven and whipped away with confession and repentance. Now that doesn’t guarantee absolution in earthly terms, but your soul on the day of your judgment will be in a state of God’s Grace.
That’s right. If David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) has made peace with Jesus before his death, he will inherit Eternal Life in Heaven.
At the same time if a free man walking the streets dies in a state of mortal sin he faces the very real possibility of eternity in Hell. I say possibility because it’s not for me or anyone to decide other’s fate. We only have a say in our own.
Some look at confession as some type of punishment. It’s actually a tremendous gift.
If you had cancer and could be cured with one doctor visit would you not go? How much more important is where you spend eternity?
Many Catholics avoid confession out of fear and embarrassment. This is the devil planting his seeds of doubt to deter you from freeing yourself from him. Like I said in prior articles: running to your fears empowers you while running from your fears will haunt you.
There is nothing you can tell that priest that he either has not heard or is unprepared to hear. And for the most part chances are he won’t even remember what you told him after a short while.
Another common objection I have heard is that God is everywhere, knows I am sorry and forgives me. Yes, God is everywhere and forgiving.
However, Jesus told Peter (the first Bishop of Rome and therefore the first Pope) that he was the rock on which Christ’s Church is built and what he binds on Earth shall be bound in Heaven and what he looses on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven.
Additionally, the apostles (original priests) were sent out in pairs by Jesus to heal the sick, drive out demons and forgive sins in His name.
I wonder why Jesus would do this if a silent “sorry Lord” was sufficient. However, the Church does teach that a personal confession to Jesus with repentance is sufficient in emergencies where the sacrament is not available.
Another common objection I hear is “well I have nothing to confess.” Oh really St. Sally?
You have never taken the Lord’s name in vein? Never lied? Never fornicated outside of HOLY matrimony (with someone else or yourself)? Never practiced artificial contraception? Never missed Mass without a valid reason?
I once heard that St. John Paul II went to confession daily. If he had to then we probably all need to get there at least a couple times per year.
Personally I go to confession every time I am in a state of mortal sin. The low life I am capable of being, that means usually every week or two.
You see I can’t face my own fears in life without receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. And it is a mortal sin in and of itself to receive Him in a state of mortal sin.
Even if my sins were only venial I’d go once per month. Most exorcists I have read about describe confession as a mini-exorcism and a great tool against demonic oppression and/or possession.
No, though rare, these occurrences are not fantasies made up in Pediwood, I mean Hollywood. The fact is demonic activity is on the rise today with the removal of God from society. So it’s a good idea to protect yourself with the Armor of God.
Lastly, confession is therapeutic and liberating. The longer you have been away from it and the greater the sins you are carrying, the more freeing it is.
My aunt went for the first time in years about a year or two ago and was moved to tears. She has been back to the Eucharist ever since (and this is not a woman who lives a very sinful life).
It’s my belief that if more Catholics went to confession, there would be less demand for psycho-therapy and drugs. I will leave you with a hypothetical.
Say I offered you $10,000 to go to confession this Saturday. Be honest. You would go right? How much more is your soul worth? Talk soon.
-Marksman
PS: Many diocese offer extra confession times during Lent. Maybe instead of giving up cheesecake go break free from the chains of sin. Satisfaction is 100% guaranteed!